Embracing Winter in Sask Parks this Holiday Season

Released on December 17, 2020

This winter, Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are offering a variety of safe, outdoor activities to enjoy.

“The holidays are a special time to celebrate family traditions and make new memories,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said.  “This year, the holiday season is looking a lot different because of the pandemic.  Health officials have asked everyone to slow down, and avoid interactions with others.  Our parks have a number of safe, physically distanced activities available to enjoy with your immediate household.”

Festive holiday offerings

The Festival of Lights is returning to Pike Lake and Candle Lake provincial parks this December.  Visitors can enjoy the locally sponsored light displays from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles.  Pike Lake’s festival will run Dec 17-21, 27, 28, and Candle Lake’s festival will run Dec 18, 19, 26-31.  New this year, JT’s Tasty Treats at Pike Lake and Gator’s Grub in Candle Lake will be offering food services during the festivals and will be operating in accordance to safety regulations outlined by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

In Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, visitors can pick out and cut down their very own Christmas tree this holiday season.  “Trim Your Tree” runs until December 24, 2020.  Participants are asked to stop by the park administration office upon arrival, and to remember to wear their mask, to pick up a tree permit and receive directions to the designated tree cutting area.

Local family getaways

Cypress Hills, Moose Mountain and Duck Mountain provincial parks are the perfect destinations for a secluded getaway this winter.  Offering a number of physically-distanced, outdoor activities from skating, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing, to snowshoeing, crokicurl and winter geocaching, families can spend some quality time together, get active and enjoy the fresh air while staying safe.

Special accommodation packages are available in each location:

• The Resort at Cypress Hills, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park – book online or by calling 306-662-4477
• Madge Lake Retreats, Duck Mountain Provincial Park – call 306-542-3922 to book
• Kenosee Inn, Moose Mountain Provincial Park – call 306-577-2099 to book

At this time, private, indoor gatherings are limited to immediate household members only, and outdoor gatherings can be held for up to 10 people, provided physical distancing between households can be maintained.

Signage is in place throughout the parks to remind visitors of the safety protocols and restrictions in place.  In addition to signage, Sask Parks staff will be implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures and minimizing in-park contact where possible.  Visitors are asked to maintain physical distance from others, adhere to the mandatory mask-use policy while indoors, respect the restrictions and rules that are in place and to stay home if not feeling well.

More information on the winter offerings in Sask Parks is available at http://saskparks.com.

-30-

For more information, contact: